JPH09309243A - Printing device, print control for printing device and storage medium storing program to be read by computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a transparent recording medium already in the process of printing from being discarded by interpreting a state in which output data to be transferred to a printing part after being developed in memory is erroneously transferred and printing distributed data on both faces of the transparent recording medium based on the interpretation results, in accordance with the processing rate of printed matter. SOLUTION: A forecast arithmetic process interprets whether time required for received data to be developed into bit image data under printing process can catch up with a printing speed (1). Then if the forecast arithmetic process interprets that the time does not catch up with the printing speed, that is, an overrun error is generated, information on the print range of an image printed on the front face of a recording medium during the period of time upto the generation of the error is stored in RAM (3). Next, the printing process is set to the double-sided printing mode (4), and an image not printed on the front face is printed on the rear face by developing it symmetrically to the right and to the left as a bit map as if the image were reflected on a mirror, using input data stored in RAM and the print range of an image printed on the front face (5). The input data stored in RAM and the print range of an image printed on the front face are delected (6).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable of printing on a transparent recording medium such as an OHP film, a print control method for the printing apparatus, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of printing apparatus, in particular, in a printing apparatus which performs band expansion processing, during printing, the time taken to develop received data into bit image data for outputting to a printing unit is When an error that does not meet the printing speed of a copy occurs, that is, a print overrun error occurs, printing is performed by enhancing the print function such as expanding the memory resource of the RAM to perform full page bitmap expansion.

[0003]

However, conventionally,
When a printing overrun error occurs in the printing device when printing is performed using the printing device, even if the printing medium is transparent such as an OHP film, the RAM
There is a problem that printing cannot be performed without enhancing the printing function such as expansion.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to eighth inventions of the present invention is to set the time for developing bit image data in the printing section. By controlling the printing of the printing unit on the transparent recording medium by determining whether or not a situation has occurred in time for the printing speed, the developed bit image and recording medium can be continuously printed without being discarded. To provide a printing device capable of obtaining a normal printing result, a printing control method of the printing device, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, output data obtained by analyzing print information input from a host to generate print data and developing an image on a memory based on the print data. In a printing device that prints on a transparent recording medium by a printing unit, a transfer error occurrence state of output data expanded in the memory and transferred to the printing unit is determined according to a print processing speed of the printing unit. A discriminating unit and a control unit for controlling the printing unit so as to perform duplex printing on the transparent recording medium based on the discriminating result of the discriminating unit are provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control means is for a transparent recording medium in which the output data expanded in the memory is fed by the time when the determination means determines that a transfer error has occurred. The printing unit is controlled so as to print on the surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided range storing means for storing a print range developed up to the time point when the determining means determines that a transfer error has occurred, and the control means stores the range in the range storing means. The developed printing range is analyzed, output data based on the unprinted print data is expanded in the memory, and the printing unit is controlled to print the expanded output data.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means controls the reading direction of the output data expanded in the memory so that the printing section prints on the back surface of the transparent recording medium as a mirror image. It is a thing.

A fifth aspect of the present invention enables connection of a double-sided unit that reverses the transparent recording medium and feeds it to the printing section.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, print information input from a host is analyzed to generate print data, and output data obtained by developing an image on a memory based on the print data is made transparent by a printing unit. In a print control method for a printing apparatus that prints on a recording medium, a determination step of determining a transfer error occurrence state of output data that is expanded in the memory and transferred to the print unit according to a print processing speed of the print unit. And a double-sided printing process for performing double-sided distributed printing on the transparent recording medium based on the determination result.

In a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the double-sided printing step, the reading direction of the output data expanded in the memory is controlled so that the printing section prints on the back surface of the transparent recording medium as a mirror image. To do.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in a storage medium storing a program used by a computer for analyzing print information received from a data source by any of the analyzing means, the print processing speed of the printing section is improved. Accordingly, a determination step of determining the transfer error occurrence state of the output data that is expanded in the memory and transferred to the printing unit, and a double-sided printing step of performing double-sided distributed printing on the transparent recording medium based on the determination result. Including a computer-readable program stored in a storage medium.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] Before describing the present embodiment, the configuration of a laser beam printer suitable for applying the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and the like.

It is needless to say that the printer to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to the laser beam printer and the ink jet printer, and may be a printer of another printing method.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of an output device to which the present invention can be applied, for example, a laser beam printer.

In the figure, reference numeral 1000 denotes a laser beam printer main body, which inputs and stores print information (character code or the like) supplied from a host computer connected to an external device, form information, or a macro command. Respond according to the information. A character pattern, a form pattern, and the like are created, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper.

1012 is a switch for operation and L
An operation panel on which an ED display and the like are arranged, 1001 is L
This is a control unit for the entire BP main body 1000. The printer control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal having a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1002.

The laser driver 1002 is a semiconductor laser 1.
Laser light 1004 emitted from 003 is switched on and off. The laser beam 1004 is a rotating polygon mirror 1005.
Then, the electrostatic latent image of the character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 1007 arranged around the electrostatic drum 1006.
And then transferred to recording paper. This recording paper uses a cut sheet, and the cut sheet recording paper is LBP
It is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the main body 1000. The sheet is taken into the apparatus by the sheet feeding roller 1009, the conveying roller 1100, and the conveying roller 1011 and is supplied to the electrostatic drum 1006.

The LBP main body 1000 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an option card and a control card having a different language system can be connected in addition to the built-in font.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention and illustrating the control configuration of the print control apparatus.

In this embodiment, a laser beam printer (FIG. 1) is described as an example, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. As long as the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention can be applied to a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, or a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. It goes without saying that the invention can be carried out.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer, which is based on a document processing program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3,
The controller 2000 includes a CPU 1 for executing document processing in which tables (including spreadsheets) are mixed, and the CPU 1 generally controls each device connected to the system bus 4.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls a key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 6 controls display on the CRT display 10. Reference numeral 7 denotes a memory controller (MC) which controls access to an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy disk (FD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like.

8 is a printer controller (PRTC)
A predetermined bidirectional interface (interface)
The communication device 21 is connected to the printer 1000 via the printer 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1000. Note that the CPU 1
Performs the expansion (rasterization) process of the outline font to the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, for example, to enable WYSIWYG on the CRT 10.

The CPU 1 also opens various windows registered on the basis of commands designated by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 1000, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU (CPU), which
M or the external memory 1
4 controls overall access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program stored in the printer 4, and a printing unit (printer (printer) connected via a printing unit interface (I / F) 16 The engine) 17 outputs an image signal as output information.

Further, the CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer 3000 via the input unit 18, and the information in the printer 1000 and the like can be stored in the host computer 300.
0 can be notified. Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown).

The RAM 19 is an output information expansion area,
It is used for the environment data storage area, NVRAM, etc., and holds information of files printed in the past. The external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD), an IC card, etc.
It is connected as an option, stores font data, emulation programs, form data, etc., and is controlled by the memory controller (MC) 20. Also, 101
Reference numeral 2 denotes the above-described operation panel (operation unit), on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged. Further, the above-mentioned external memory is not limited to one, but at least one external memory is provided, and in addition to the built-in font, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different languages can be connected. It may be configured. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1012.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each means of the first to fifth inventions and their functions will be described below with reference to FIG.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the printing unit 17 is expanded into the memory according to the print processing speed of the printing unit 17.
Based on the determination result of the determination unit (the CPU 12 executes the control program stored in the ROM 13 to determine) the transfer error occurrence state of the output data transferred to the control unit (the control stored in the ROM 13 by the CPU 12). The program is controlled by executing the program) to control the printing unit 17 so as to perform duplex printing on the transparent recording medium. Therefore, the output data can be output without discarding the transparent recording medium on which the printing process has already started. Can be output as a normal image on a transparent recording medium.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the CPU 12 controls the printing unit 17 to print the output data developed in the RAM 19 on the surface of the fed transparent recording medium by the time it is determined that a transfer error has occurred. Since the control is performed, the print processing can be performed without discarding the output data that is normally expanded so that it can be output.

In a third aspect of the invention, the CPU 12 analyzes the print range stored in the range storage means (RAM 19 or external memory 14) and expands output data based on unprinted print data in the memory. Then, since the printing unit 17 is controlled so as to print the expanded output data, it is possible to shorten the processing time required from expansion to printing at the time of reprinting.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, the CPU 12 has a RAM 19
Since the printing unit 17 controls the reading direction of the output data developed in the above to print on the back surface of the transparent recording medium as a mirror image, it is possible to obtain a printed matter in a normal image state without any trouble.

In the fifth aspect of the invention, since the double-sided unit for reversing the transparent recording medium and feeding it to the printing unit 17 can be connected, the transparent recording medium discharged due to a transfer error is automatically detected. The unprinted data can be continuously printed by re-feeding.

Next, the first printing process of the present invention based on the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the print control procedure of the printing apparatus according to the present invention, which corresponds to the processing until the print overrun error occurs in the printing apparatus. Note that (1) to (5) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), reception of data from the host computer 3000 is awaited. When the print data is received in step (1), the received print data is stored in the external memory 14 such as the RAM 19 or the hard disk provided in the printing apparatus in step (2).

Next, in step (3), print processing of the received print data is performed. When printing is normally performed without an error in the print processing of step (3), the print data stored in step (2) is deleted in step (4), and the print processing ends. .

On the other hand, in the printing process of step (3), when the above-mentioned print overrun error occurs, that is, the time for developing the received data into the bit image data for outputting to the printing unit depends on the printing unit. The CPU 12 determines by the predictive calculation process whether or not the print speed in step 2 is reached, and if the print overrun error occurs, the interrupt processing routine of step (5) is executed.

Finally, in step (4), the input data stored in step (2) is deleted from the storage device.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a detailed procedure of the interrupt processing routine shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (6) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), the CPU 1 determines whether or not a print overrun has occurred during printing on the back side.
2 judges. If it is determined in step (1) that the print overrun error has occurred, it is impossible to avoid the print overrun error. Therefore, the print overrun error is processed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that a print overrun error has occurred during surface printing, then in step (3) the image printed on the front surface before the error occurs. Information on the print range is stored in the RAM 19 or the external memory 14 provided in the printing apparatus. Next, in step (4), the printing process such as conveyance to the recording medium is set to double-sided printing, and preparations are made for printing the back side of the recording medium. FIG.
A double-sided unit (not shown) can be connected to the printer 1000 shown in (1), and by connecting the double-sided unit, the recording medium is reversely fed and printing can be performed on both sides of the recording medium.

Next, in step (5), printing is performed on the front surface using the input data stored in the RAM 19 or the external memory 14 provided in the printing device in advance and the print range information of the image printed on the front surface. The image of the non-printed part is bit-symmetrically developed as if the image was mirrored, and the back side is printed.

Finally, in step (6), the print range information is deleted from the image printed on the front surface, which is stored in the RAM 19 or the external memory 14 in step (3), and the interrupt process is terminated.

As a result, when printing is performed on a transparent recording medium such as OHP paper, the printed matter output as shown in FIG. 5 is a combination of front-side printing and back-side printing. It can be regarded as one image, and an image similar to the image when the print overrun error does not occur can be output.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing a printing processing state by the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5A corresponds to a normal output in which a print overrun error does not occur, and FIG. 5B shows a print overrun error occurrence. Corresponding to the surface output of
(C) corresponds to the back side output when a print overrun error occurs.

As shown in this figure, (b) shows the time at which a print overrun error occurs, and the image data developed thereafter is printed as a mirror image on the back side of the OHP film shown in (b) when outputting the back side. .

As a result, the image data for one page is OH at the boundary of the time when the print overrun error occurs.
It is output on P film, and the output can be used in OHP without waste of printing.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and the respective steps of the sixth to eighth inventions and their functions will be described below with reference to FIGS.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, print information is generated by analyzing print information input from a host, and output data obtained by developing an image on a memory based on the print data is transmitted by a printing unit 17 to a transparent recording medium ( In the print control method of a printing apparatus that prints on an OHP film, etc., the printing unit 17
A determination step (step (5) in FIG. 3) of determining the transfer error occurrence state of the output data expanded in the memory and transferred to the printing unit 17 according to the print processing speed of Duplex printing process for performing duplex printing on the transparent recording medium (step (1) in FIG. 4)
(6)), the CPU 12 executes the control program stored in the ROM 13 to discard the output data on the transparent recording medium without discarding the transparent recording medium on which the printing process has already started. Can be output as

In a seventh aspect of the invention, in the double-sided printing step, the reading direction of the output data expanded in the memory is controlled so that the printing section prints on the back surface of the transparent recording medium as a mirror image. As a result, it is possible to obtain a printed matter in a normal image state without any trouble.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is a storage medium (FD, CD-ROM, etc., described later) storing a program used by a computer for analyzing print information received from a data source by any of the analyzing means. Printing section 17
Discriminating step for discriminating a transfer error occurrence state of the output data which is expanded in the memory and transferred to the printing section according to the print processing speed, and double-sided sorting printing on the transparent recording medium based on the discrimination result And a computer-readable program including a double-sided printing step for performing the above. That is, an embodiment in which a program code corresponding to the steps shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is stored in the external memory 14 or a storage resource (not shown) and the CPU 12 reads and executes the program code from the storage medium storing the program code is also an embodiment of the present invention. Are included in.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, when a print overrun error occurs again at the time of printing on the back side, the print range information of the image printed on the back side is stored in the storage device and the printed matter is discharged. To do.

Next, the output printed matter is manually set in the print preparation state, and is still printed based on the front side image print range information, the back side image print range information and the input data which are already stored in the storage device. The image of the part that is not printed is printed.

The configuration of the data processing program readable by the printing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by the printing system according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in a storage medium, such as version information and a creator, is also stored, and information dependent on an OS or the like on the program reading side, such as a program, is stored. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. And in that case, CD-ROM, flash memory, FD
The present invention can be applied to a case where an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as the above or from an external storage medium via a network.

As described above, the storage medium recording the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP of the system or apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0068]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, according to the print processing speed of the printing unit,
The printing unit is configured so that the control unit performs duplex printing on the transparent recording medium based on the determination result of the determination unit that determines the transfer error occurrence state of the output data that is expanded in the memory and transferred to the printing unit. Control
The output data can be output as a normal image on the transparent recording medium without discarding the transparent recording medium on which the printing process has already started.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the control means controls the surface of the transparent recording medium to which the output data developed in the memory is fed by the time the determination means determines that a transfer error has occurred. Since the printing unit is controlled so as to print, it is possible to perform print processing without discarding the output data expanded so that it can be normally output.

According to the third invention, the control means analyzes the print range stored in the range storage means, expands the output data based on the unprinted print data into the memory, Since the printing unit is controlled so as to print the expanded output data, it is possible to shorten the processing time required from expansion to printing during reprinting.

According to the fourth invention, the control means controls the reading direction of the output data expanded in the memory so that the printing section prints on the back surface of the transparent recording medium as a mirror image. As a result, it is possible to obtain a printed matter in a normal image state without any trouble.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the double-sided unit for reversing the transparent recording medium and feeding it to the printing unit can be connected, the transparent recording medium ejected due to a transfer error can be removed. Unprinted data can be continuously printed by automatic re-feeding.

According to the sixth and eighth inventions, the transfer error occurrence state of the output data expanded in the memory and transferred to the printing unit is determined according to the print processing speed of the printing unit, Since duplex printing is performed on the transparent recording medium based on the determination result, output data is output as a normal image on the transparent recording medium without discarding the transparent recording medium for which printing processing has already started. You can

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the reading direction of the output data expanded in the memory is controlled and the printing section prints on the back surface of the transparent recording medium as a mirror image, a normal image state is obtained. The printed matter can be obtained without any trouble.

Therefore, even if the time for developing the bit image data cannot meet the printing speed of the printing unit, the printing process is continuously executed without discarding the developed bit image and recording medium. It is possible to obtain a normal printing result.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an output device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a print control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a print control procedure of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure of an interrupt processing routine shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a print processing state by the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the printing system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 CPU 13 ROM 14 External memory 17 Printing unit 18 Input unit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus that analyzes print information input from a host to generate print data, and prints output data obtained by developing an image on a memory based on the print data on a transparent recording medium by a printing unit. In the above, in accordance with the print processing speed of the printing unit, a determination unit that determines a transfer error occurrence state of output data that is expanded in the memory and transferred to the printing unit, and the determination unit based on the determination result of the determination unit. A printing device comprising: a control unit that controls the printing unit to perform duplex printing on a transparent recording medium. 2. The control means prints the output data expanded in the memory by the time when the determination means determines that a transfer error has occurred, so that the output data is printed on the surface of the transmissive recording medium being fed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit is controlled. 3. The range storage means for storing the print range developed up to the time when the determination means determines that a transfer error has occurred, and the control means analyzes the print range stored in the range storage means. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein output data based on print data that has not been printed yet is expanded in the memory, and the printing unit is controlled to print the expanded output data. . 4. The control unit controls the reading direction of the output data expanded in the memory so that the printing unit prints a mirror image on the back surface of the transparent recording medium. The printing device according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a double-sided unit that reverses the transparent recording medium and feeds it to the printing unit is connectable. 6. A printing apparatus that analyzes print information input from a host to generate print data, and prints output data obtained by developing an image on a memory based on the print data on a transparent recording medium by a printing unit. In the print control method of
A determination step of determining a transfer error occurrence state of the output data that is expanded in the memory and transferred to the printing unit according to the print processing speed of the printing unit, and for the transparent recording medium based on the determination result. A printing control method for a printing apparatus, comprising: a double-sided printing process for performing a double-sided distributed printing. 7. The double-sided printing step is characterized in that the printing section prints a mirror image on the back surface of the transparent recording medium by controlling the reading direction of the output data expanded in the memory. 6. A printing control method for a printing apparatus according to item 6. 8. A storage medium storing a program used by a computer that analyzes print information received from a data source by any of the analyzing means, and stores the program in a memory according to a print processing speed of a printing unit. A determining step of determining a transfer error occurrence state of the output data transferred to the printing unit; and a double-sided printing step of performing a double-sided distributed printing on the transparent recording medium based on the determination result,
A storage medium storing a computer-readable program.